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Giant Sulphur (Colias gigantea Strecker)
Wing span: 2 - 2 3/4 inches (5.1 - 7 cm).
Identification: Upper surface of male yellow with narrow black borders; lower surface without submarginal black spots. Female with 2 forms, yellow or white; both may have black border reduced or lacking.
Life history: Third-stage caterpillars overwinter.
Flight: One flight from June-July.
Caterpillar hosts: Dwarf willow (Salix reticulata).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Willow bogs.
Range: Alaska south along Rocky Mountains to Wyoming.
Conservation: Not usually required.
Management needs: Not reported.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
References:
Opler, P. A. and G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the Great Plains.
Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates.
Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies.
Peterson field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages,
48 color plates.
Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin
Co., Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
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 1999 -
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